Spotting before AF

[trixiebelle17]

What would make u spot before AF (other than the obvious implantation bleed), is it low progesterone? I'm only 7 DPO and started spotting today, and based on my previous cycle may quite likely spot for the next week before AF arrives.

Is this going to affect my chances of falling pregnant? How can you fix this?

[Craftymum]

Trixie, this is what I have... spotting from 7dpo every day through till af arrives on 15DPO. Can sympathise as its very annoying....

It can be numerous things... A sign of Endo - so if you have any of the other symptoms of Endo it would be worth having it investigated.

Could also be low progesterone.... to have this monitored you need to have progesterone monitoring one cycle where you are tested about 5 times throughout your cycle via blood tests to check that it rises after ovulation and stays nice and high right through to a couple of days prior to AF arriving. Low progesterone can cause you to spot and also cause issues with implantation as the lining starts shedding right at the critical time when implantation is occuring. If it is low, progesterone pessaries are available to boost your progesterone in the 2ww

In my case there is no known reason for it. Progesterone is fine and no sign of endo.

My Obgyn and also my IVF FS have both said that its unexplained and shouldnt be interferring with me conceiving, although I have other thoughts about that one :rolleyes:

Hope that has helped sort of??

[trixiebelle17]

Thanks for your reply crafty, your answer was very helpful... It just seems like everytime something gets fixed another problem is arising... :hair:

I had never spotted before coming off the pill in feb, then i had no spotting my first cycle, one day of spotting the next, two days the next, eight days last cycle, and well i'm not sure how long my LP is so i guessing im headed towards a weeks worth again...

I am thinking it could very well be low progesterone as my temps haven't remained high even though i'm pretty confident i did finally O (and well at least i now know AF is finally on her way!). When i had my hormones test a couple of months ago my progesterone was within normal limist (but only just and it had been commented on by other professionals that it looked too low)

I guess i'll speak to my herbalist, and give my endocrinologist a call to see what he suggests once i find out how many days im going to do this before AF.

I don't think i have endo, but then i really don't know what the symptoms are... would endo often show up on an ultrasound?

Crafty what a nightmare that they can't find a reason for why it is happening for you! :hugs:

[Craftymum]

Trixie - you generally wont spot whilst on the pill to this extent so who is to know if you would of spotted had you not been on the pill....

Ask to get monitored for a cycle because if your temps are going up and down then yes it could be reflected in your temps too as a progesterone deficiency. Its possible that your CD21 ovulation/progesterone test would be high, but then fall away really quickly in the 2ww and this is when you need it to stay nice and high, and only being monitored once wont show if it is staying high or not. My FS asked me to temp through the 2ww and he married up my progesterone results in that 2 weeks to my temps and could get an idea on if it was deficient or not iykwim....

If it is a problem its an easy one to fix with progesterone pessaries and a lot of people fall PG next cycle with them as they help make bubs stick! In IVF you have to use the in the 2ww regardless :hugs:

[trixiebelle17]

well i guess they don't sound too daunting if that is the case, i just don't understand why something that should be so natural can become so complicated and unnatural :laughing: I better fall pregnant sith my second child by accident and save myself all this energy.

Will my normal GP be able to monitor my cycle, or will i have to make an extra appointment at my endocrinologist or get a referral to an FS?

[Craftymum]

there is no reason why your gp cant do it for you.... its just a referral for say 4-5 BT's during your cycle, and they should be able to tell if they are staying nice and high. I think I had a CD16, CD20, CD 23, CD26 BT's.... but they may refer you off to a gyno or fs... nt sure. My Obgyn did mine as I was already seeing him.:)

[trixiebelle17]

thanks crafty, is good to know i can at least have the BT's done without having to wait to get into a specialist... I guess i'll take each step as it comes...

Strangely enough, i haven't actually spotted today, kinda bizarre as previously it had happened continuosly up to AF, i'll keep my fingers crossed it means my body is trying its best to correct itself... maybe i scared my system by threatening so many BT's next cycle :laughing:

:fingerscrossed: it doesn't start again until AF arrives!